Education Minister urges calm as high-school blockades turn violent in Île-de-France

Education Minister Édouard Geffray appealed for calm on Monday, stressing that student grievances should be voiced without violence. Speaking on RMC, he said organized, peaceful demonstrations are acceptable, but violent tactics undermine civil order. The Union syndicale lycéenne has staged blockades at roughly ten high schools in Île-de-France, protesting overcrowded classrooms, schedules running from eight to eighteen hours and alleged neglect of suburban institutions.

The minister cited 58 schools targeted by attempted blockades last week, with ten actually blocked and 31 people detained; vandalism included fireworks, damage to street furniture and trash bins. A joint circular from the Interior and Education ministries calls for reinforced security and proportionate force to protect public order. Geffray reported that a principal was assaulted, a CPE was trampled in a crowd, and a pupil was hospitalized after a fireworks mortar, with several others lightly injured. He warned against political groups inciting further blockades and said no forecast on strike participation could be given.